The prop’s Australian contract still has a year to run, which prevents an earlier return to NZ but with this signing Lomax has committed his long term future to NZ.

The 21 year old Lomax is the son of former Kiwis rugby league prop John Lomax, who played 15 tests for the Kiwis between 1992-98. He also played for the Canberra Raiders, Nth Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm.

Tyrel Lomax grew up playing league in Wellington but switched to rugby when the Lomax family moved to Australia. He was a member of the 2015/16 Australian U20 team and was named the Australian U20 player of the year in 2016.

Seen as a player with a bright future Lomax was named in Michael Cheikas’ original 48 man squad for 2017 before withdrawing, while it may have been a difficult decision to return to NZ he is sure it’s for the best, “I grew up in NZ and as an aspiring rugby player the chance to play for a NZ Super Rugby club was too good an opportunity to turn down. As a young prop I can’t wait to get to the Highlanders, they have an awesome culture there and I just want to immerse myself in it and learn as much as possible “, said Lomax.

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark has been in contact with Lomax and is impressed “throughout our dealings with Tyrel he has shown himself to be a mature young man with a real determination to learn and improve, he has a real desire to go as far as he can in the game.

He will fit in well at the Highlanders and we would like to think this is just the start for Tyrel, we believe he has a very bright future in front of him “.

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger is delighted the young prop has committed to the Highlanders. “Clearly we see Tyrel as an exciting future prospect for the club, a strong ball carrying prop, we think his game will benefit from our environment and he will add depth to our squad “.